Two months, 32 pranks, and 27 detentions later, it was finally Christmas vacation.
"I'm so excited!" Stella said, bouncing in her seat.
The marauders were in their same compartment on the Hogwarts Express as they were last time. James had the window seat, Stella was beside him, and Sirius was on her other side. Remus and Peter sat across from them.
James had invited Lily to join them, but she said she'd rather kiss the giant squid. So then Stella asked her instead, but Lily politely declined, saying she had already promised her Slytherin friend, Severus, that she'd accompany him.
"So you've said." James rolled his eyes.
"A hundred times." Sirius added.
"Well I can't help it! I haven't seen my brothers and sisters in ages!" Stella defended.
"We're only kidding Stell, we know you missed them. We're glad you have siblings to keep you company over break, my house is so boring. My parents are older, so they just have all their adult friends over for some special dinner party. It's dreadful." Said James.
"I'd take that over my parents. All they do is bad mouth muggles, muggleborns, and blood traitors. They've practically disowned me since they found out I've been sorted into Gryffindor. Not that I'd change anything." Sirius smirked.
"That's horrible, Siri. You're always welcomed at my place." Stella offered.
"Mine too!" added James.
Sirius smiled. "Thanks, guys."
"What about your brother? Regulus. Is he alright?" Stella asked.
Sirius shook his head. "He's thrilled that I disgraced the family, now he has no competition to be mother's favorite. He's such a suck up with her, he'd cut off his own arm to please the woman. Regulus is only 9, but I feel like I've already lost him to the dark side."
"Awh, Sirius…I know you love your brother. Hopefully he'll come around." Stella told him. Sirius nodded. She decided to change the subject, not wanting her friend to dwell on any bad thoughts during their last hour before they left. She looked to Peter, who was asleep, and then to Remus, who as usual, had his nose in a book. "Remus, got any fun plans for Christmas?"
Remus looked up from his book. "Nothing special, just Christmas Eve dinner with my parents. The usual."
"That's sweet." Stella smiled.
"If none of you are doing anything after Christmas, maybe you can make it to my parents New Years eve party." James offered.
"Thanks, I'll ask my mom." Stella grinned.
"Mine would say no, but I'll try to make it anyway." Sirius winked.
"I wouldn't want to impose…" said Remus.
"Please, Remus! I'd love for you to come; there are never any kids around anyway. The holidays are so boring; I'd love to have your company." James insisted.
"Alright, I'll talk to my parents about it. Thanks." Smiled Remus.
"Anytime!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun." Stella grinned.
"I'll write you all and send you my address." James told them.
Pretty soon, the train had arrived at King's Cross station, and the students rushed off to greet their families.
"Mom!" Stella exclaimed, running to hug Adrianna.
"Oh dear, look how much you've grown!" Adrianna fussed, taking in her daughter's appearance. "You look like such a grown up young lady!"
"Mom, I'm only eleven." Stella giggled. But then she frowned, realizing her mother was alone. "Where is everybody?"
"At the house, waiting for you. I didn't want them to overwhelm you. They can't wait to see you." Adrianna explained, Stella nodded.
"Let's not keep them waiting then!" she grinned, rushing to the car.
"Honeys, I'm home!" Stella yelled as she walked into her house. It looked so familiar, but she felt like she hadn't been there in ages.
"STELLA!"
Livie, Bella, Dominic, and Nicky all ran straight into Stella, capturing her in a group hug.
"I've missed you all too!" Stella laughed.
She got settled in, and everybody bombarded her with questions. Even Jason was happy to see her, though he'd never admit it.
The kids asked what Hogwarts was like, how the teachers were, if she could show them her magic (which she couldn't outside of school, much to their disappointment). Dominic was interested in Quidditch, which Stella had explained to them. First years weren't permitted to try out, but she was determined to be the Gryffindor Seeker next year. She had gone to all the games with James and Sirius so far, so she knew all about it. Then she told everybody about her friends.
"I still can't believe you made friends with a girl!" Bella chuckled.
"Neither can I, but Lily's great!" Stella told them.
"What about Sirius? He sounds funny." Said Livie.
"Oh, he is! He and James crack me up. And Remus is so smart, he's really sweet too. And Peter's- well, he grows on you." Said Stella. "Oh, and James has the cutest crush on Lily! She despises him, but I bet they'll end up together someday. Which reminds me, Nicky, how's Lola doing?"
"She's good." Nicky blushed. "She made me a friendship bracelet for Christmas."
Nicky held out his wrist to show a blue friendship bracelet.
"Awh, that's so cute!" Stella smiled.
Nicky nodded. "And she told me I'm her favorite best friend. This has been the best year ever."